365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 249

Most of my extended family on my father's side are going on a cruise in 2014 and I am so happy to say we are a part of that. I started looking into the different shore excursions for each place we visit and was just getting so excited about the possibilities. I really want to do a swim with the dolphins kind of thing. There is just something about dolphins that is undeniably appealing. They were created by God to always look like they are smiling. And just like a person smiling at you makes you want to smile back, looking at a dolphin makes me want to smile too. I have often had people ask me if I am okay because of the look on my face. Honestly, I don't know what that look is but I am thinking that without a smile on my face, people automatically assume something is wrong. I guess it's just the way God made me and the people always asking if I am okay are showing me they care which means so much. Usually, there is nothing wrong at all. I am just thinking, contemplating, day dreaming but other times the pain I may be having is showing on my face. I am not sure my smile muscles are up for the challenge of smiling all the time but it is my desire to show my smile for others and for God in my body language, my behaviors, my words. Hopefully I can shine with the love of God and that will make up for the smile that may or may not be missing at the moment. Thank you Lord for dolphins and the smiles they bring to all.

Matthew 5:16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 248

I love surprises, the unexpected, the I didn't think of that one moments. With those surprises come joy, smiles and excitement. We got a couple unexpected blessings on our trip out to Alamosa. We did the driving tour of the Alamosa Wildlife Refuge. It turned out to be mostly birds which was kind of poetic timing since we just saw a movie about birding recently. This refuge is a wetlands so there are lots and lots of cattails. I wanted to get out and take a photo of one and did so but it turnd out my handy-dandy i-phone had switched to video mode on me with my knowing it. I didn't want a video of a cattail! So, right at the end of the tour I spotted another lonely cattail by itself and said stop the car. I got out and to my surprise there out in the grassy reeds was a deer. I think my own excitement over spotting a deer got the deer on the move and that's when the unexpected showed up, a baby deer. We watched with awe as they bounced through the grass away from us with their white tufted tails. It was the perfect end to our drive through the refuge and never would have been seen if the first cattail photo hadn't been a video! The next day we took a drive over to the the Alamosa Ranch and walked beside the large pond. We were enjoying the atmosphere and throwing rocks in the water when I spotted a deer coming out of the island full of tall grass and cattails and start swimming across the pond to the shore. How totally cool was it to see not just a deer standing there but doing something unexpected. I love the unexpected blessing of feeling God in our midst through his creation. Thank you Lord for sharing with us these unexpected moments with your creation.

2 Chronicles 1:11-12 God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked long life, but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.” 

365 Days of Prasie Challenge-Day 247

I have just recently have gone into the world of Pinterest. If you are a visual person, you will be hooked like I am. You will be inspired in so many ways with so many great ideas for everything. I love that I can find a recipie, a scripture with a beautiful inspiring photo and a scrapbook sketch idea all in one place. If you haven't been invited to Pinterest, let me know and I will invite you to join. Thank you Lord for this gathering of inspiration.

2 Timonthy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 246

I think one of the sweetest sounds ever is that of a child's laughter. There have literally been moments where what is happening is not the part that I am focused on, it's the laughter I am hearing. I just makes my heart smile. I can only imagine how much God loves to hear us laugh. Thank you Lord for this gift that we can give to each other. Here's a little clean humor for you: When I say "I cleaned my room" I usually mean I made a path from my door to my bed. Praying some humor and laughter comes your way today.
Job 8:21 He will fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.



365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 245

Everyone has their favorites. Favorite movie, favorite food, favorite dessert, favorite thing to do, favorite book. One of my favorite childrens book is by Max Lucado called You Are Special. Why are your favorites your favorites? Probably because they make you feel good or maybe you associate something with them. I have struggled my whole life with letting what other think of me matter so when I read this book and the words at the end I just get this super good feeling inside me everytime. Here are those words from Eli the woodcarver, the maker of the Wemmicks who is a representation of God: Eli smiled, "You will, but it will take time. You've got a lot of marks. For now, just come to see me every day and let me remind you how much I care." "Remember," Eli said as the Wemmick walked out the door, "you are special because I made you. And I don't make mistakes."  Goosies just came... Thank you Lord for the gift you have given Max Lucado in bringing these words to others, in reminding us how much you care and how special we are to you and that only what you think matters.

Pslam 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

365 Days of Prasie Challenge-Day 244

I have been steadily working on getting my photos organized in folders on my computer. It is a monumental task to say the least and probably one that most people face but will never tackle because its just so much. This is definitely a task that you can't just sit down and get done in a couple of hours. I started the task a few months ago. The easiest way to orgainze seemed to be by putting named events and activities inside a folder for the whole year. So I have about 20 folders with names like Mother's Day, Sledding Fun, TJ Bday Party, etc. It has become so much easier to find photos. I finally got 2010's folder done last week and this week I have been uploading them to Costco so I can finally get some photos printed for the layouts I have created that are sitting around waiting for the photos. I can't wait to show you some of them!!! When I think of the task of organizing my photos, it makes me think of the task that God calls us to. What is that task? The main task God calls us to is to spread the word of the gospel, share about Jesus and what he did for us, live the Word the best we can. This is a monumental task and like orgainizing photos has to be done as a process one step at a time. The sooner you begin working your task the more you will accomplish with it and untold blessings will come from it. Think about what you need to work on that will help you with your task for God. Is it learning to pray more consistently? How about reading the bible everyday? Maybe you just need to work on an attitude change? Stop and take some time to really think about what is the next part of the process you need to work on for the task God calls us to. Here is a link to an article that talks about the three scriptures that capture the gospel in a nutshell that we can memorize and share with others. http://bondchristian.com/the-whole-gospel-in-only-3-verses-yeah/

Mark 16:15-16 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 243

Easily one of the best parts of my job is knowing that I have helped an alarm company get off on the right foot when it comes to how they need to proceed to be in compliance with the law. It is especially delightful for me getting emails back from alarm companys with an excited thank you in it. Appreciation is a funny thing. The more you receive it the better you feel and the more you give it the better you feel too. Being thankful is more than a one day thing which is why I started this whole challenge on Thanksgiving last year. It is amazing how some appreciation can make you feel both in giving and receiving it. I am so thankful to God for the gift of appreciation people can give to each other and am thankful for the reminder that it goes both ways. Take the time to say the words, send an email, make a phone call, make a card and send it. In whatever form you choose, challenge yourself to share your appreciation for others everyday. It really does make you shine and will make the one who receives it shine too. Check out this mini study on appreciation that I found at http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=37155&columnid=4166

Ephesians 5:20 Sing and make music inyour heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 242

We watched the movie Big Miracle last evening. It is about a mother and father gray whale trapped with their baby whale in the ice in Alaska. It was so fun to watch the excitement of my daughter as we watched and they came to the point where the whales lived or died. She cheered and was bouncing up and down when the whales came up out of the water free from the ice. I can imagine God cheering and bouncing up and down with excitement when another lost soul is freed from the bondage of sin when they accept Jesus. Unfortunately, the movie also showed how not all are saved. The baby whale does not make it. It is the saddest moment in the movie and it is the saddest thing for God to see a soul lost forever to Satan. The truth is just as the whales made the choice to stay with their baby until the end and than chose to follow the ice holes cut all the way to the ice wall that needed to be broken through. We also have to make a choice. As the people were waiting for the whales to make the move to the go through the ice holes, we started shouting out words of encouragement, prayer and hope.  We have to do that with the lost who are around us encouraging them, praying for them and giving them hope through Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord for this inspiring movie and the message that can be see from it. My prayer is for the lost all over the world but especially for the lost within my own circle that you would help me to be an encourager and a witness of your love and hope. Amen.

Romans 8:21 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into glorious freedom of the children of God.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 240

Our pastor shared a story about a family who were victims of the Waldo Canyon Fire. This family has a couple of elementary age girls in it and the last thing they did before leaving their home to evacuate was to take some sidewalk chalk and drew a large heart on their driveway. Inside the heart they wrote, "God, please save our home". When they were able to return to their home which was one of the 347 that burned down, they found the driveway untouched and the heart and message to God still there. That, in itself, was a message from God. We aren't home yet. Our houses are temporary, our stuff temporary. God is eternal. Life with him is eternal. Another message in this from God is that though we live in this fallen world which is full of sin and evil and tribulations, God is always with us through it all. We often hear the words, "never forget" when it comes to people who have lost their lives, when tragedy has happend. God doesn't want us to forget him. Never forget He is always with us. Never forget how much he loves us. Never forget our home with Him is yet to come.

Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 240

It was only one day after the masacre up in Aurora at the movie theater when my daughter asks, "can we go see a movie?"  I had already said a week or so earlier we would go see Ice Age-Continental Drift and with nothing else planned for our day I knew it was the day to do it. Was I feeling a little wary about it? Of course! But I had to show my daughter that we cannot let our fears control us. We must move past them and conquer them with God's help. It was unerving to see a couple of police in the lobby at the movie theater but at the same time it was comforting to know that they were being precautious. If the breif stuff I saw about this tragic event on the news could ellicit fears in me, I can't even imagine how the people who were there and survived are feeling. I am thankful to God for helping me conquer my little fear and am praying he will help the survivors of the movie theater mascre to conquer their own fears. I like this quote I found about fears, "feed your faith and your fears will starve to death", author unknown. Drink in the Holy Spirit, feed on the truth in the Word and surround yourself with the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.

Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 239

I have been praying all week for the safety and health of the teens and adults away on a mission trip to Arkansas, including my son. I have also prayed that they would grow in their faith and see the Lord working in them and through them. They have a blog for the youth missions in the church so I went to read through it and found out that on the second day out there as they were driving in the vans somewhere, they came across a couple of sheriff deputies on the side of the road. They pulled over to see if they needed any help. It turns out, that a car had gone off the road and was down in a ditch and the man inside was trapped. All the adults got out of the van and as the teens watched and prayed, they together lifted the car up to get the injured man out. That evening they had a very powerful and moving discussion with the teens about what happened. One adult wrote that this one event was worth the whole mission trip. I am praising God for this experience that the mission group went through and am looking forward to hearing more about it in my son's own words.

John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 238

I was doing my morning exercise when my hubbie came down in his rob with shaving cream all over his face telling me to turn on the news that their was a mass shooting in south part of Denver. Needless to say my thoughts have been on this tragic event and the people who have been affected, some deathly. Despite the horror of events we turn on and see in our news in our neighborhoods and all over the world, we need to praise God for being there. Many will ask why? Why didn't God do something to save these people? I don't have that answer. I do know we live in a fallen world that is under the domain of the evil one and though we see and hear and even experience things of evil like this, God has not forgotten us. We have the hope of Jesus and of eternal life with God. Thank you Lord for rescusing us ultimately from the evil in this world. Give us courage to face each day knowing that despite what may happen you are for us not against us. Amen.
Romans 8:31-32 If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

365 Days of Praise Challeng-Day 237

My cousin and her family came into town unexpectedly for a quick visit over dinner. She kept saying 'why did I move to Texas?' She has always been very extroverted. She can strike up a conversation with anyone and will. She makes me want to be brave in just reaching out to people. Turns out her unexpected visit is more than just a blessing to see her and visit with her and her family but she has inspired me to get that 10lbs I have put on back off. She is a Health Coach for Take Shape for Life and because of her excitement and encouragement I bit the bullet and ordered the food to get started. It's going to be here any day now and I will probably start officially on Monday. Needless to say, I have been eating whatever I want and put on another pound or two just anticipating starting this diet. I love the fact that I have my own personal coach to help me through the hurdles and celebrate with me the accomplishments. Praises to my Abba for bringing my cousin to me and getting me started on getting my body, God's temple, back in shape to do his work.

Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 236

Many of lifes failures are people who didnt realize how close they were to success when they gave up. I read this from a Linked In group I am a part of and was so struck by it. God never gives up on us and so we are to do the same. Don't give up on your dreams, your goals, your calling. Keep at it and God will take care of the rest in his time. Thomas Edison is an example of a man who didn't give up and I am betting there are thousands of examples like him who had an idea and didn't give up on it. When life starts beating at you, throwing obstacles in your way and dragging you down and away from your dreams, think of the light bulb and know that with God all things are possible. Let his light shine on you and through you and his blessings will pour out on you. Thank you Lord for the gift of the words of others that encourage us and help us to stay the course and be persistent as you have always been with us. Give us the strength and patience needed to keep marching around the wall and may we pass on this blessing of encouraging words to others throughout our day. Amen.
Hebrews 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 235

I was making a belated birthday card for my sted-dad because I didn't manage to remember to get it sent soon enough. Typical! I started thinking about that word step-dad. I am assuming the word step is because they are stepping into a role of father, mother, etc. I was 17 when my mom and step-dad got married so I think that role was more like he stepped into the role of being my mom's companion, support, love of her life. My fondest memory of him is when he use to pull on my toes and get the knuckles to crack. Something simple but very cherished. He was the only one to do it! I am so thankful for him and especially what he has brought to my mom's life. Thank you for stepping into the role of dad and sharing your wisdom and love with us. God can do the same for you as a father. He can step into that role and give you wisdom and love you like nobody else. He is our Almighty Father, our Heavenly Daddy, our Abba. Have you let God step into the role of Dad for you?

Romans 8:15 “So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, Abba, Father.”

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 234

My neice did so well for her baptism. It was such a joy to watch parents I know committing their child to God. The baptism was at a much smaller church than I am use to. It was very hard not to be distracted by the differences but in the end I got one message from the sermon that is sticking like glue. Apparently, this church hasn't had a baptism in quite a while so the sermon incorporated the baptism which we don't see a lot at our own church because we are baptizing almost every Sunday. The pastor was talking about what do you say when someone asks you, "what do you do?".  I have heard this question and asked it many times over the last several years being in my business networking group but I have finally learned what the initial answer should be. I am a child of God. We are first and foremost a child of God and because we have accepted Jesus and been adopted back into God's family, we should also think of ourselves as Soldiers and/or servants of Christ. That should be the core of who we are. I have been thinking of my self discover excerise that I adopted and adjusted many years ago when I was struggling greatly with who I was. I created the word wall in which I take sheets of paper and write "I am" statements.  I take each statement and put them in a circular shape on a wall with the central core of the circle being the most important central part of who I am and lesser degrees of that going outward. I found I had negative statements in my core that were hurting who I was so I created positive affirmations counteracting those negatives and posted them around my apartment. After a few weeks of seeing and reading those affirmations, I was able to look at my wall and move out the negatives from my core and eventually off my wall. I was also able to take what I what at that time I believed my core should be: I am special, I am unique and I am human. That core has greatly helped me become the person I am now but I realize that since truly accepting Christ, my wall of words has changed and those core statements should become I am a child of God and a servant of Christ. So, I will be working on creating my new wall down in my basement studio in the days ahead and get my affirmation reminders up and around everywhere.  I will post a picture of my wall once I get it up and going and once I completly and honestly feel my core has changed to include who I am because of Jesus. Thank you Lord for the blessing of my church and for the nugget of truth I got from this little church.

Galatians 3: 26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 233

Today my neice is getting baptized. I was thinking about making a scrapbook page and thought of how the family and church are to be a support and guide in the life of the child being baptized so that one day that child when he/she is grown will choose to accept Jesus into their hearts. I thought of the scripture about keeping the Word on our lips and writing the law on our doorframes. Our lives should have the Lord stamped all over it from the words we say, the things we do to the values we show. God calls us to teach our children about him and the truth of the gospel. I am going to take a notebook to the baptism and ask everyone to write some piece of spiritual wisdom in their own words that they can share with my neice. I am going to take these nuggets of wisdom and make a scrapbook layout with them so my neice will have a piece of the body of Christ that will hopefully be a source of strength, hope and guidance in her life. I will frame it to go on the wall so she can see it everyday of her life. Thank you Lord for our children and help us to bring the truth to them in all ways so when they are grown they will choose you. Amen and Amen.

Dueteronomy 6: 5-9 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your sould and with all your stength. These commandments that I give you today re to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 232

An example of how good can come from not good happened in my life this week. You always think of the big things like the people who lost their homes recently here in town or a person who is killed unexpectedly but good comes out of the lesser thought of experiences too. My shoulders were hurting especially bad one night this week and I came home to a kitchen that was full of dirty pots and pans and all the stuff that needs to be hand-washed. I have struggled with some of the pans that are heavy and just knew it was not a good idea to make my shoulders feel any worse than they did. My daughter was seeking a job so she could earn money for a quick trip to Walmart I needed to make for toothpast and laudry detergent. This is a perfect time to teach her how to wash the dishes. She ended up loving it and was very happy to do it and help mom and understood that she would be paid this one-time for it but the future was yet to be determined. Chores are just that but when you can teach your children about them and they are excited about it and end up loving it than the pain I had to bare for that to happen was worth it. Thank you Lord for this little example in my own life of how you work out the bad things to bring about good things. That brings me hope to keep me strong as I deal with the pain in my shoulders. Can you think of something in your own life where something good came out of something not good? I would love to hear about it.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 231

For some of us, being giving and generous just comes natuarally. It is your gift but for others, like myself, it is something that I have to work at. The ladies at my work that I sit next to are very good examples of the kind of person who is just natuarally giving and generous. Judy always has a snack drawer filled and welcomes all to come and take whatever they want. The other Judy brought in the makings for a salad the other day for everyone for lunch. Yesterday, I ended up sharing my lunch with a young lady in my office. I had planned to eat the rest of it today but I really enjoyed offering to share with her. Turns out she has never tried avocado ever. Wow! That was cool to be able to give something that she had never tried. Because I am not giving and generous naturally I will have to be more intentional about it.  I am going to start with a list of ways I can give and be generous that I can refer to.  Help me out with my list!  1. Baking something and giving it to a neighbor. 2. Bring donuts or bagels into work, just because! 3.....?  Thank you Lord for the examples of giving you have placed around me that help me strive to be a better giver.

Acts 20:35
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 230

I read a book called Artic Tale to my daughter last evening. It is about two different animals in the artic a baby polar bear and a baby walrus. The interesting thing about each of these is the very circumstances they are brought up in. A baby walrus will stay with the group of all female walrus' for as long as they live while a baby polar bear is just with his mother until they are able to hunt on their own at about age 2. Two vastly different up-bringings. One in the midst of community and the other with just mom. God gave us two examples in these animals of what we can do as mothers. We can have that one-on-one bond and we can be in community with other mothers, women, sisters. We are blessed to be able to choose both worlds as we raise our young. God gives us the choice. Each of us, based on our own personality can choose how to be a mom. I love my one-on-one time with my kids but also love being with other women sharing about our struggles, rejoicing in our triumphs and laughing about our adventures. It's like the bible says there is a time for everything even a time to be one-on-one and a time to be in community. Thank you Lord for giving us the miracle of both ways to rear our young and for the examples of motherhood found throughout your creation.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 236

100% containted! The Waldo Canyon fire was reported to be 100% containted last evening. So thankful to God for helping the fire fighters get control of this fire. This thought of a fire being contained makes me think of us and our sins. How contained are our sins? I don't even know that we can be fully contained when it comes to sins but I do think it is something we can strive for. Find your area of trouble and focus on containing that sin. Like the firefighters who would focus on the really hot spots.  Do you have a mouth that needs to stop talking and start listening? Do you have no self-control when it comes to food? Do you relish talking about others behind their backs? The questions could go on and on. What is your fire that needs containing? Only the help of the Holy Spirit can help in this containtment on your sins. The Holy Spirit is like a plane full of fire retardant ready to be dumped on the fire but that plane needs to be called into action. Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you contain your fire, conquer your sin. Our fires will continue until the day we die. Keep fighting the fires of sin with the Holy Spirit. Be in the Word and have the Word be in you. Strive for as much containment as possible.

Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

 

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 228

Unfortunately my shoulders have gone from bad to worse so I am going to have to make this short and sweet. Despite the pain, sorrows and sadness that life will bring us is the joy of the little things like a child's laugh. They said on the radio yesterday that laughter was said to be the thing that helped people live longer lives. I think we have to intentionally go out and seek laughter. It can be as simple as being a coach potato and watching a good sit-com or going out on the town and hitting a comedy club. Being with people seems to be a major key to laughter. Play games, go on adventures and keep searching for the fun of life.

Proverbs 17:22

 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

**Check out this to learn more about laughter and healing.  http://www.faithandhealthconnection.org/laughter-and-having-fun-is-good-for-our-health-weekly-health-scripture-proverbs-1722/

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 227

Huzaq, Huzaq, Huzaq! This is Hebrew for Be Strong and Courageous. It's been in my head since our sermon yesterday. Our new pastor, Graham Baird, started a new series about Crossing the River based out of the book of Joshua. He said we are all at this point in our lives crossing a river of some kind, whether it is from being single to being married, unemployed to employed, etc. We have to ask ourselves, "what river am I about to cross or what river am I crossing?" I know a river I want to cross is from current employer to new employer but I haven't had the motivation. I am grateful for the job I have especially considering the state of unempoyment in our country but that doesn't mean I can't want more for myself or especially can't go where God is calling. I have been praying for a job with a Christian organization and have found an opportunity that is speaking to me. This sermon about being strong and courageous couldn't have come at a better time. There are no coincidences. It is God. So, I am motivated to just go for it and will see what God has in store for me. What will the other side of that river look like? Whether it's a new job or not, having God on my side and the Holy Spirit within me giving me strength and courage is the part I will rejoice.
I would love to hear about the river you may be crossing or about to cross. Please share and be blessed.

Joshua 1:9 (The Lord said to Joshua son of Nun...)  "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 226

Both my kids are rebelling big time against me taking any photos of them. I've got a very precousious 9 year old and a much bigger than me 15 year old so it takes some determination to get any photos done. I can't help that I love taking pictures. My hubbie says it makes mom happy and we want to keep mom happy. LOL! It's just one of those things in life that bring me joy, something I love to do. We all have those things like curling up in bed with a good book or having coffee with a friend or making cakes, quilting or scrapbooking. Most of them are solitary things to do but there are a few like my photo taking that can include the participation of others. You can't make anyone do what they don't want. We all have choices. My kids can choose to make faces rather than smile or stick out there hand or turn-away quickly but in the end I still get a joy from doing it and laugh at some of the results. Being in the bible can be like this.... You can read it and feel joy but also feel at times the negative faces made or the hand in the face moments when you come upon something that can make you feel uncomfortable, something that may uncover the sin you have been hiding away or baring the hurts from your past. And just like my photo taking of my kids with their attitudes gives me some fun results, being in the Word will do the same for us. I like to think of it as my therapy time with God. We all need therapy. We just have to admit it and do it. Get in the Word and have some therapy today and enjoy the results.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be equipped for every good work.

365 Days of Praise-Day 225

We were all gloriously happy to see the rain coming down yesterday. It wasn't just a drizzle here or there as it has been but a down right pouring of cats and dogs and not for just a minute but for a good length of time. I was even happier to hear some very big scary claps of thunder last night as I was getting ready for bed and the sound of more rain. What a treat it was to have the windows open and feel the coolness in the air and the smell of the rain. While it would have been better for the fire for the rain to have come last week, we cannot question God's timing. Everything works according to his plan. Glory will come out of the homes that were lost to the fire and to the lives that were lost. Good always comes out of the terrible and tragic. We may not see the good ourselves but we have to have faith that it does and will happen. Father, we thank you for the rain and thank you for taking care of us.

Phillipians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.  

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 224

My daughter has really gotten into music lately. She will listen and see along to a song of Taylor Swift's all morning long over and over again. It always puts a smile to my mouth to hear her voice singing a song. Her repetition of playing the song and singing it over and over again is a good example of what we should be doing with our Bible. Have you ever listened to a song and finally realized what they were singing about? You have been singing it a certain way for months, maybe even years and a light goes off moment occurs and you hear it for what it really is. It can be like that reading the bible. We can read the same verses over and over again but at some point a light goes of moment may occur giving you a nugget of truth you didn't hear before. Persistence always pays off. Keep at it and God will give you those light goes off moments as you read his word and while your at it sing a song of praise. My sing over and over again song is by Chris Tomlin, The Passion-White Flag. Hearing and seeing it on the blog was a whole new powerful experience. Take a listen and enjoy some of your own worship time with God.  Chris Tomlin-The Passion-White Flag

Psalm 100:2 Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 223

We celebrated 4th of July yesterday and yet it was the most low-key 4th of July ever. Because of the fire, all fireworks shows were cancelled and because the fire fighters are still busy taking care of the fire, the 4th of July parade was postponed. What to do? What to do? My first thought was to take the kids up to Elitchs and suprise them but the expense and day out in the heat kept us from going that route. I googled what to do for July 4th and didn't find much but got the idea to head out to Manitou Springs and help support the businesses out there that had to be closed for a few days during their peak season. We had a great lunch at a place called The Keg which has some great burgers and philly cheese steak sandwiches. There are some really fun and unique stores out there that made it fun like the store that is all about rubber ducks. The boys were troopers in dealing with this window shopping adventure but I will have to go back sometime with just girlfriends and do some Christmas shopping. We kicked back the rest of the day with our typical movies, dinner and spa time. No crowds, no fireworks but just this peace and quiet that seemed so odd. In the end, we were thankful for the time we spent together even though it was not like other 4th of July's. Praising God for just another day where we could be together, share laughs and love each other.

Deuteronomy 6:6,7
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 222

Yesterday at work, a co-worker suddenly exclaimed, "Oh I just got bit!". My thought and reply was immediately by what? She said it was a noseeum bug. A what?????!!! I was not the only one of us that have never heard of such a thing. I texted my husband. Nope never heard of it. He said it sounded like a joke an elementary school kid would make up. The next alarm company representative that called. Nope she hadn't heard of them either but said that's probably where the mysterious red bumps come from?! I made it into a time with a lot of laughs like it was a Friday afternoon before a weekend. The really funny thing is when I was getting dressed for bed last night what do I see.  Little red bumps on my leg in various places. Oh my gosh! They are for real! You can't see them. Don't know when they are biting you but the proof is right there in the little red bumps. I think some of our sins are like that. You don't see them for what they are. You don't realize you are getting bit by them because you have done them since forever that its just a normal thing to you. But eventually you see the proof of those sins... Like the little red bumps from the noseeum bug, they can multiple and eventually you could be covered with sins. Thankfully, we have Jesus who washes away our sins. He heals the little red bumps that are all over us.  He took those little red bumps onto himself the day he died for us on the cross. I started thinking what are the sins that I don't see and did a little research on sins. I found a list with 667 sins from the bible listed with the bible refrences.  List of Sins   It was overwhelming as I skimmed through the list. I kept up my research and found this article that made a very good point about how we can't quantify sins but must look to Jesus and go by what he told us. Find the Answer Here  Lord, I thank you for your saving grace and the gift of Jesus. Thank you for healing me of all the little red bumps each day, for washing away my sins.  I am covered with Christ.  Praise to God!
Galations 3:24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.

Noseeums are real!

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 221

As I pondered what to write, I looked up at my wall of scrapbook pages and all the photos, all the memories and a sadness came over me for the families that lost their homes this week to the fire. I know that for me, considering my memory is not so good, that these photos and scrapbook pages mean the world to me. Your kids grow up so fast. It really all does go by in the blink of an eye. But there are those moments that you capture on film or nowadays, digitally that show who we are as human beings. What it really is showing is a glimpse of God. The joy you see in faces, the love you see in the hugs and arms around each other, the smiles of those you love and who love you, the experiences that are captured that show how much the Lord has blessed us with. God is everywhere, within our lives if only we open our eyes to see it. And even if you don't have the photos or scrapbook pages to look at, we have the present and the future to look at and see and feel God. Praise to God for being with us at all times.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. -- Psalm 46:1

Father's Day 2012

 

365 Days of Praise Challege-Day 220

This is a praise that we should be praising everyday and was a good reminder from the sermon yesterday by our new pastor who incidently was on the national evening news about the Waldo Canyon fire and how the community is supporting each other. Our pastor arrived here on the Saturday the fire started and had to preach after the devastion of 346 homes being lost, many people hurting and dealing with the loss and emotions of what they are going through and sadly the loss of two people. Walk thru with God was the mantra he had us practice during the sermon. My faithbook page on this is coming together very nicely. Sooner or later, I will get my started projects finished. LOL!  Thank you Father for being with us, for walking through with us, for always being with us.  Even when we may not feel your presence or realize that you are right here with us, in looking back it can always be seen.  We are to live in the present, learn from the past and be prepared for our future and keep in our hearts that you are with us every step of the way. Walk thru with God, walk thru with God, walk thru with God....    I woke up with this song ALL THIS TIME by Brit Nicole in my head. This is so about God walking with us.. Listen to it here...ALL THIS TIME

Isaiah 43:1-2 But now, this is what the Lord says-- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you;  I have summoned you by name, you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flame will not set you ablaze.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 219

I really don't know what it is about being in the spa but that my mind goes to thoughts of God and what he wants me to do. Last evening, my daughter shocked me in the spa by dumping a cup of ice down my front-side. It was a fun moment and actully quite refreshing with the heat of the spa. My daughter ended up making some comment about ice and what its used for and immediately my mind snatched up the analogy of ice and purpose. Ice has  an over-all main purpose, to keep things cold but it does this in a variety of different ways like ice for a glass of lemonade, ice in a cooler to chill drinks and food, ice shaved and made into a snowcone or an ice bath for hard-boiled eggs and for the person whose fever has gotten too high. Maybe you can think of some other ways that ice fufills its purpose? We are like the ice. We have our main purpose to share the gospel and help bring the lost sheep to our Shepherd but how we do that differs. We each have our own gifts God has given us to help serve us in our purpose. It is a life-long quest to learn about our gifts so that we can use them for the purpose God has called us to. Here's a link for an on-line Spiritual Gifts Inventory:  http://www.kodachrome.org/spiritgift/download.htm  Keep seeking wisdom and guidance and God will show the way.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.